Born in 1916, Norm B Lewis is considered one of Australia’s oldest Rotarians and a lifelong servant to community and plantation forestry. Overcoming early hardships, he worked odd jobs to fund studies at the University of Adelaide, earning a scholarship in forestry before serving in the military during World War II.

Norm’s career in South Australia’s plantation forestry, spanned international assignments, earning him an Imperial Service Order.

His marriage to Mavis lasted 53 years, marked by devotion through her illness.

Joining Rotary in the 1960s, initially with the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier, SA, and later the Rotary Club of Henley Beach, SA, he has held leadership roles and was the Rotary District 9510 Governor’s Special Representative when founding the Rotary Club of Kidman Park (now the Rotary Club of West Beach). He’s been honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow and Sapphire Pin.

Norm celebrated his 109th birthday with members from both Kidman Park and Henley Beach. He’s visited Antarctica several times, once on a Russian merchant ship and later when he was over 90 years old. Remarkably living independently at 105, he attended Rotary meetings, once wearing a moon boot due to a lawn-mowing mishap! He is appreciated for his Rotary wisdom such as “get the fellowship right”. Also, his enduring humour and zest for life, which are encapsulated in his secret to longevity: “Keep breathing”.